Self-levelling cot, bunk, couch, and the like for use on board ship.



A. L. WERTHEIM. SELF LEVELING GOT, BUNK, COUCH, AND THE LIKE FOR USE ON BOARD SHIP. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 12, 1912. 1,084,91 5, Patented Jan. 20, 1914.

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A. L. WERTHBIM. oouon, AND THE LIKE FOR USE ON BOARD SHIP.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 12, 1912. 1,084 915 SELF LEVBLING COT, BUNK,

Patented Jan. 20, 1914.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANNE LOWENSTEIN WERTHE-IM, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

SELF-LEVELING COT, BUNK, COUCH, AND THE LIKE FOR USE ON BOARD SII-IIP.

Application filed November 12, 1912.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ANNE LownNsTnIN lVnnTHEIM, a princess of the German Empire, residing at London, S. England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Self-Leveling Cots, Bunks, Couches, and the like for Use on Board Ship, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to improvements in connection with self-leveling cots, couches, bunks and the like, for use on ship-board, and particularly relates to a type of cot or the like, which is suspended from an overhead frame-work.

The object of my invention is to provide self-leveling means in the form of suitable toothed sectors or semi-circular castings or the like which are fixed under the upper member of the outer frame-work with the teeth downward, and are adapted to travel upon toothed racks, at the head of supporting columns or standards, one at each end of the bunk.

The further object of the invention is to provide means for controlling and adjusting the traverse of the toothed sectors along the supporting racks for the cot, such means being designed to maintain the bunk or cot in an even or level position, parallel to the horizontal, notwithstanding the heaving or rolling of the vessel.

In operation, assuming the supporting columns to inc-line say 30 from the perpendicular, the frame-work supporting the bunk will not be carried through so large an are because as the support-s incline in one direction the teeth of the semi-circular casting engaging with the rack under the counteracting influence of the controlling means will travel along the said rack in the opposite direction thus tending to keep the suspended bunk independent of the motion of the ship.

The controlling means which reduce to the nominal any slight impulse due to the moment-um of the bunk and thereby prevent the same acquiring an excessive or increased swinging motion consist of band brakes which are fitted at the four points at which the overhead frame-works are supported. The center of each brake drum preferably coincides with the radius center of the semi circular toothed casting.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 20, 1914. Serial No. 730,975.

It will be understood that this device may be applied to the inner framework as well as to the outer framework.

The method of mounting supporting and controlling a self-leveling cot or bunk for use on ship board in accordance with this my invention and the arrangement and construction of the several working parts will be fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein Figure l is an end elevation of a ships bunk clearly illustrating my improved method of mounting and supporting the same. Fig. 2 is a side elevationthereof and Fig. 3 is a plan of the inner and outer framework and their fittings. Fig. 4 is an end view of one of the band brakes employed for controlling the traverse of the toothed sectors.

For effecting the objects of my invention I employ two relatively moving parts the one in the form of a toothed sector or semicircular toothed casting a fixed to the outer frame 5 of the bunk and the other a toothed rack b fixed to or forming part of the vertical column or support 0 fixed to the deck or floor of the cabin. The toothed sector or semi-circular casting a is mounted to engage with the teeth of the rack b in such a manner that as the supporting columns 0 incline in one direction with the motion of the vessel the semi-circular toothed castings av will by the action of gravity travel along the toothed racks a in the opposite direction to an extent limited by the controlling means employed for maintaining the said toothed sectors or castings a in place on the racks. The partial lateral movement thereby acquired reduces the arc of oscillation of the bunk and tends to maintain the stability thereof.

The controlling means consist of the band brakes (Z which encircle the drum 0 fixed to or forming part of the semi-circular toothed castings a and are devised with the object of controlling the traverse of the toothed sectors a and destroying any accentuated swinging movement due to the momentum which the bunk may acquire from the motion of the ship. Furthermore, these band brakes hold the toothed castings a in place upon the toothed racks. They are therefore made from flexible steel bands or other elastic material in order to allow for the variation in the relative positions of the semicircular castings and the supporting racks. The ends 70 7c of the band brakes are connected by pins Z to a rod Z slidable in a hole in a boss 7). This boss is mounted upon a stud g fitted in a hole in the hanger bracket m and formed with a circular groove 9 with which engages the set screw 1) to re tain the same in place. The hanger bracket mis fixed to the roof m of the cabin the said slidable rod Z having a spiral spring a mounted on its shank and a screw threaded extremity it upon which is passed a winged nut 0 whereby the brake pressure may be adjusted.

As seen in Figs. 2 and 8 the inner frame f may be supported on the outer frame by means of trunnions 9 whose swinging movement may be diminished by band brakes (Z which encircle drums e on the cross shaft h.

The rods 2' for supporting the bunk are fixed thereto at their upper ends as shown at while their lower extremities may form part of the frame of the bunk. In lieu of supporting the inner frame in this manner the same may be supported by means of toothed sectors and racks in a similar manner to that already described with regard to the outer framework.

What I do claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In cots, bunks, couches and the like for use on ship board, self-leveling means comprising toothed sectors and racks for supporting the cots and adjusting means for controlling the traverse of the said toothed sectors along the racks, substantially as described.

2. In self-leveling means for ships bunks or the like, toothed racks carried by columns or standards, toothed sectors engaging therewith and fitted to the frame of the cot, band brakes, encircling drums carried by a shaft fitted to the traversing toothed sectors and adapted to control the traverse thereof substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ANNE LUWENSTEIN WER'lHEIM.

lVitnesses GEORGE PRINGLE, T. RICHMOND.

Gopieu of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Eatenm, Washington, D. C. 

